Obituary for Robert Earl Johnson
Robert "Bob" Earl Johnson, 91, of Athens, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2022 at his home.
Bob was born on October 8, 1931 to the Earl and Sammie Henderson Johnson.
He graduated from McMinn County High School in 1949, attended Tennessee Wesleyan College, and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1954. He then entered the United States Air Force and served four years, including time as a flight navigator.
In 1955 Bob married the love of his life, Joan Epperson Johnson, and they returned to Athens in 1958 where Bob began his career at Hammer Johnson Supply. His entrepreneurial and managerial skills helped the business to grow, but it was his unquestionable integrity and upstanding character that truly made Hammer Johnson successful.
Bob was a lifelong member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with family and friends. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who exhibited selflessness, kindness, and patience in his daily living. Even though he is no longer with us, Bob left his family with a legacy of love and faith and joy, and the blessing of having him in our lives will remain with us forever.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan Epperson Johnson; three daughters, Melissa Bagley and husband Jim, Lauren Jackson, and Ginger Coats and husband David. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kate Mason and husband Andy, Andrew Knutson, Ben Jackson, Hunter Knutson and wife Ashlyn, and two great grandchildren, McKenzie Knutson and Frankie Mason.
A Funeral service will be conducted, 2:00 pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2022 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Melissa Smith and Rev. Mike Hubble officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery . The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00-2:00 pm, Wednesday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, Athens, TN 37371-0001; Tennessee Wesleyan University, R. E. Johnson Scholarship Endowment, 204 E. College Street, Athens, TN 37303; or a charity of your choice.
Bob was born on October 8, 1931 to the Earl and Sammie Henderson Johnson.
He graduated from McMinn County High School in 1949, attended Tennessee Wesleyan College, and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1954. He then entered the United States Air Force and served four years, including time as a flight navigator.
In 1955 Bob married the love of his life, Joan Epperson Johnson, and they returned to Athens in 1958 where Bob began his career at Hammer Johnson Supply. His entrepreneurial and managerial skills helped the business to grow, but it was his unquestionable integrity and upstanding character that truly made Hammer Johnson successful.
Bob was a lifelong member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with family and friends. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who exhibited selflessness, kindness, and patience in his daily living. Even though he is no longer with us, Bob left his family with a legacy of love and faith and joy, and the blessing of having him in our lives will remain with us forever.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan Epperson Johnson; three daughters, Melissa Bagley and husband Jim, Lauren Jackson, and Ginger Coats and husband David. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kate Mason and husband Andy, Andrew Knutson, Ben Jackson, Hunter Knutson and wife Ashlyn, and two great grandchildren, McKenzie Knutson and Frankie Mason.
A Funeral service will be conducted, 2:00 pm, Wednesday, October 19, 2022 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Melissa Smith and Rev. Mike Hubble officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery . The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00-2:00 pm, Wednesday prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, Athens, TN 37371-0001; Tennessee Wesleyan University, R. E. Johnson Scholarship Endowment, 204 E. College Street, Athens, TN 37303; or a charity of your choice.